With distinct rainy and sunny seasons, the best time to visit Ly Son is from April to August when the weather is stable, with less rain and storms, and pleasant sunshine.
Duc Pagoda lies at the foot of Gieng Tien volcano. Photo by Bui Thanh Trung
A 48-hour itinerary to explore Ly Son island, based on suggestions from local resident Hoang Pham and VnExpress reporters’ survey.
Day 1
Travel to Ly Son Island
The island district is located about 30 km from the mainland, and the main means of transportation is by high-speed boat from Sa Ky port. Return tickets cost around VND 400,000. Visitors need to bring their ID card or driver’s license to purchase tickets. The travel time from the port to the island is about 35 minutes.
From Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, visitors can fly to Chu Lai Airport in Quang Nam Province, with a flight time of one hour and thirty minutes. The airport is about 42 km from Sa Ky port, and visitors can travel by taxi, costing about VND 350,000 one way, or take a bus to Quang Ngai City to save costs.
Some reputable long-haul bus companies that stop at Quang Ngai City include Quang Dung and Chinh Nghia. The North-South express train, including the fast trains SE1/2 and SE3/4, also stops at Quang Ngai station. Ticket prices range from VND 300,000 to VND 1,500,000 one way per person, depending on the point of departure.
Visit Chua Hang (Hang Pagoda)
The first destination is the 400-year-old Chua Hang. Nestled in a large cave halfway up the mountain, the pagoda worships Buddha and those who pioneered the island. It is also known as Thien Khong Thach Tu, originally a temple of the Cham people. In the early 17th century, it became a place for Taoist practice and later a Buddhist worship site for the Vietnamese. The cave is 24 meters deep, 20 meters wide, 3.2 meters high, and has an area of 480 square meters.
Outside Chua Hang on Ly Son Island. Photo by Pham Linh
On the way up to the pagoda, as you circle the mountain pass, you can take in the view of the village, garlic fields, and the island’s green grass. The large courtyard of the pagoda is surrounded by ancient trees and houses a statue of Goddess of Mercy looking out to sea. Additionally, visitors can explore the altars carved into the natural stalagmites and the Cham Pa relics.
Check out the Ly Son Lighthouse
The Ly Son Lighthouse is located on the eastern side of the island. The tower is cylindrical, 45 meters high from the base of the structure, with a range of about 18 nautical miles, and has been operational since 1898. It is one of the tallest and most important lighthouses in Vietnam’s maritime navigation. From the top of the lighthouse, you can take in a panoramic view of the Ly Son Island, surrounded by the sea, with fields of onions and garlic, and bustling boats.
For lunch, Hoang Pham recommends ordering food at your hotel or homestay, or trying some local favorites such as Dai Hang seafood restaurant, Ty To seafood, and Hoang Khuyen restaurant, with prices ranging from VND 50,000 to VND 200,000 per person.
Engage in sea sports at Hang Cau
Hang Cau has a unique shape due to wind and wave erosion, with a white sandy beach on one side and a high cliff on the other. The southern side of Hang Cau features a wide beach and a colorful coral reef. Visitors can also experience scuba diving to observe the coral, as well as kayaking.
Watch the sunset from Thoi Loi peak
The peak is one of the five extinct volcanoes on the island and offers a perfect spot to watch the sunset. The mountain is about 170 meters above sea level, and the climb is quite steep. At the top is a giant crater, home to a freshwater lake that supplies the island district. Here, you can sit and observe grazing cows and flying birds. The 20-meter-high flagpole on the mountain is a must-visit check-in spot on Ly Son Island.
The island tends to be quiet at night, as locals go to bed early, so there aren’t many entertainment options. Visitors can enjoy the seaside atmosphere and savor seafood at restaurants along the port. In particular, Phat Hai restaurant (in Thon Tay, An Hai commune) is highly recommended by locals and tourists alike.
Here, customers can choose fresh seafood, ask for prices beforehand, and request their preferred method of preparation. Some suggested dishes include grilled sand clams with scallions, horseshoe crabs, sea urchins, oysters, and giant snails. The cost ranges from VND 200,000 to VND 300,000 per person.
For accommodations, visitors can choose homestays or hotels in the center of Ly Son, such as Muong Thanh Holiday Ly Son Hotel, Ly Son Pearl Island Resort, and Bien Ngoc, with rates ranging from VND 500,000 to VND 1,500,000 per night.
Day 2
Breakfast and explore the seafood market
Start your day by trying local specialties like fish cake soup, fish cake noodles, or beef noodles, available at eateries in the center of Ly Son, with prices starting at VND 20,000 per dish.
Ly Son port is bustling in the early morning as fishing boats return with their catch. Visitors can buy fresh seafood as gifts. However, to bring fresh produce on the plane, proper packaging in a sealed Styrofoam box without ice, water, or odor is necessary. Dried seafood and Ly Son garlic, available at stalls near the port, are more convenient options for transportation and storage.
Visit Hon Mu Cu
Hon Mu Cu is considered the best spot to watch the sunrise on the archipelago. Located about three kilometers east of the main island, Hon Mu Cu remains untouched by human habitation, preserving its pristine beauty and fresh air.
Experience Dao Be (Little Island)
Dao Be, or An Binh commune, may be small in size, but it boasts a white sandy beach surrounded by majestic volcanic cliffs. It is about three nautical miles from the main island of Ly Son, and a wooden boat ride takes more than 30 minutes, while a speedboat takes about 15 minutes. You can rent a speedboat for VND 2,500,000, or pay VND 120,000 per person for a shared ride. The price is for a round trip on the same day.
The schedule for boats from Ly Son Island to Dao Be starts at 7:00 AM, and the last trip from Dao Be to Ly Son is at 2:20 PM. Boats depart every 20 minutes. If buying tickets at the port, note that each person is limited to purchasing two tickets. Ticket sales start at 6:00 AM.
Tourists enjoy various activities on Dao Be in early May 2025. Photo by Pham Linh
On Dao Be, besides swimming and scuba diving to observe the coral, visitors can enjoy local specialties such as garlic salad, seaweed salad, tà ma fish, snails, and horseshoe crabs at local restaurants.
Alternative Options
Other attractions on the island include the Hoang Sa Management and North Sea Exhibition House, the mural village, the whale worshipping tomb, the An Hai communal house, Duc Pagoda, and Am Linh Tu. These sites are scattered across the island, and with the sunny weather, getting to them will require some travel time.
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